Updated: Rob Gauntlett, 2008 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Killed In Climbing Accident

News is breaking that adventurer Rob Gauntlett and a climbing partner have been tragically killed while climbing in the French Alps.  Rob Gauntlett was the youngest person from Great Britain to top out on Mt. Everest when he done so at 19 years old in 2006.  Rob had recently completed a 22,000 mile North-South Pole journey, then sailed 1800 miles to Australia with partner James Hooper.  Rob Gauntlett recently received the National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Award for 2008.

Few details have emerged on this accident, but it is known that Rob and his partner were in the midst of an ice climbing adventure near Chamonix in the French Alps.  The two had left for the region shortly after the new year and both are being confirmed as perishing in a tragic fall.  It is thought that his incident may be the result of an avalanche, but that has not been confirmed.  That is about all that is known at his time.  His partner’s name has not been released.

This is a sad day for adventure in Britain.  Rob was considered one of the top climbers in the country and has been highly regarded elsewhere in the world.  The BBC has the full report on this incident and includes an interview with Rob’s mother, who is said to be flying to the area tomorrow.

We offer our thoughts and prayers to both individual’s family and friends.

Follow the jump for the latest update on this tragic incident.

Update: A few more details are starting to emerge about this accident, including the name of the climber that Rob Gauntlett died with.  Rob Gauntlett and James Atkinson are both thought to have taken a fall while ice climbing on the Mt. Blanc du Tacul.  Authorities have recovered the bodies of both climbers and are still investigating the cause of the accident.  It is known that both, Rob and James, were 21 years old and both resided in Sussex.  The pair left for the French Alps on January 2nd and were suppose to arrive back home on Wednesday.  Thoughts and prayers are pouring out from the British climbing community for the families of the two climbers.  The UK Times Online has done an excellent job with providing some background information on Mr. Gauntlett’s adventuring career.  I will update again if more news becomes available.  You can offer your thoughts and prayers in the comments section below.

Update II (January 13, 2009):  The UK’s BMC website is giving out some new details to this accident.  This is from their latest report on the accident.

Although details are not yet confirmed, it appears the two were attempting the classic Gervasutti Couloir (800m and D- by the usual finish) on the East Face of Mont Blanc du Tacul above the Vallée Blanche. Their bodies were recovered by helicopter from the bottom of the couloir. It is not clear what caused their lengthy fall, though the climb can be exposed to ice fall from the serac barrier at the top of the face.

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